Parasites or "worms" in your pet rob your pet of much needed nutrition and magnify any disease condition. The kinds of parasites found in pets can be divided into areas of the body in which they parasitize.

In the ideal condition, parasites do not kill your pet. Their goal is to rob just a little bit to live and not kill the host. Often, you will not be aware of your pet having parasites. Sometimes, because of the great number of parasites, or because your pet is very young or very old, parasites can be fatal! It is very important that we look for these nasty parasites when we examine your pet. Often, a request for a stool sample will be made when your pet is due for vaccinations. A Heartworm test is scheduled for your dog once a year. During the flea and tick season, careful examination is made of your pet to detect the presence of these parasites.

Parasites can be classified into those living in:

The Digestive System
The Blood Vessels and Heart
On The Skin or Outer Body

 

The Digestive System:

Roundworms

or ascarids are intestinal parasites found in both dogs and cats. But, the common ascarids of cats does not infect dogs and vice versa. Roundworm infection can be fatal in young puppies and kittens. Infection in healthy adult pets is seldom serious, but can cause a general unthrifty look to your pet.

 

Hookworms

are bloodsucking parasites found in both dogs and cats. But, the common hookworm of dogs does not infect cats and vice versa. Hookworm infection can cause severe, even fatal blood loss, especially in pups.

 

Tapeworms

are common intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Fleas, rabbits, mice, rats, and other animals carry the intermediate stage in the life cycle of tapeworms. Dogs and cats become infected by eating these carriers. The most common tapeworm of dogs and cats are carried by the flea. If your pet is exposed to fleas, watch for tapeworm segments passing with the stool.

 

Whipworms

are intestinal parasites of dogs. They are usually found in the large intestine and cause a mucous and sometimes bloody diarrhea.

 

Coccidia

are intestinal parasites of dogs and cats, which can cause diarrhea and weight loss. Coccidiosis usually affects young animals, especially those from places where large numbers of pets are kept together, such as kennels, catteries, and pet shops.

 

Toxoplasma

are intestinal parasites of cats that can infect people. Cats become infected by eating mice, rats, birds or meat containing Toxoplasma cysts. This parasite is especially dangerous to women that are pregnant.

 

Giardia

are intestinal parasites of dogs. They are very difficult to detect. They cause diarrhea and are usually found in places where large numbers of pets are kept together.
All intestinal parasites should be treated at the hospital. We do not recommend pet store treatments.

 

Blood Vessels and Heart Parasites:

 

Heartworms

are most common in dogs, but cats have been known to be infected. They are blood parasites that spend their adult life in the heart and large blood vessels. They are transmitted by the mosquito.

They can be prevented with a heartworm test once every year and regular preventive medication every month of the year. There are two choices you can make regarding heartworm prevention. One type is a generic medication called (Iverheart) which can be given monthly as a treat or a brand name medication (Interceptor or  Sentinel). The second type is given monthly as a treat as well. Either type is effective and safe for your dog.

 

 

The Skin or Outer Body:

Ticks

carry many diseases and live in specific areas of the country. Depending on where you live, you will find different species. In the Northeastern USA, specifically in the Philadelphia area, the Deer tick, the Brown dog tick, and the American dog tick are threats to your pets. Ticks are out from April through October, but this timing can vary depending on the kind of weather we are having.

Ticks are blood-sucking pests that target dogs and cats, as well as humans. Dogs and cats trying to get relief from ticks will scratch frequently, many times breaking the skin and causing infection, which ultimately lowers the resistance of your pet to disease.

Two products that would be effective in protecting for ticks are Frontline and the Preventic Collar.

 

Flea

control is very important to the health and well being of your dog or cat. Flea bites cause discomfort and irritation, and they are responsible for a serious skin condition known as flea allergy dermatitis. In addition, fleas often carry tapeworms, a harmful intestinal parasite. One female flea can lay approximately 300-400 eggs in three weeks! Fleas can quickly infest your home and even attack humans.

To understand the magnitude of the flea problem, let us look at the life cycle. The flea develops in four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and finally, adult. The adults live on your dog or cat where the females lay eggs. These eggs fall off the dog or cat into your home. There they hatch and pass through the larva stage and pupa stage. They then develop into adults. These new adults jump onto your dog or cat and the cycle begins all over again.

Pet owners see adult fleas and recognize them as the source of aggravation for their pet. Owners get satisfaction in killing the adult flea because they think the problem is solved. What they do not realize is that for every one adult flea they kill, there are at least 10 eggs, 7 larvae, and 2 pupae developing to take their place. A single adult is backed by at least 19 pre-adults rapidly maturing to add the discomfort of your pet and the your frustration.

Frontline is effective against the adult flea. Program or Sentinel prevents  the larvae from hatching. Knockout Area Spray can be used for the house to prevent fleas and ticks and their eggs from hatching and living in the rugs, furniture, etc.

A note about store bought flea and tick collars:

In our experience, we have taken many, many pet shop and store bought flea and tick collars off pets with fleas and ticks. They are called over the counter products. Usually, the owner just assumes the collar is working and to their surprise and disappointment, it is not working. Avoid them!

This note is not a scientific study,  just our opinion, ..for what it is worth..

Ear Mites

are very small insects that infest the ear canal of dogs and cats and are highly contagious from pet to pet. They are not contagious to humans. Common signs of ear mites include scratching at the ears,   and or shaking the head. A black dry crusty material can be seen in the ears.  If you suspect your pet has ear mites, please make an appointment so we can diagnose the problem and treat it. If left alone, secondary complications such as bacterial infection, yeast infection, or worse - a broken blood vessel of the ear (Aural Hematoma), which would require surgery are all waiting for your pet. 

 

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